4.6.4.2 Ensure sendmail PrivacyOptions is configured

Information

The recommendation is to ensure that PrivacyOptions includes at least three settings:

- authwarnings (a default)
- novrfy
- noexpn

The sendmail deamon has a history of security vulnerabilities. The recommendation is to modify default sendmail settings that otherwise may provide information that can be used by an attacker.

- novrfy: No Verify: do not verify valid email addresses. This can be used by attackers, e.g., phishing attacks.
- noexpn: no expansion: do not verify/expand email list addresses - providing attackers with a list of valid email addresses.

Solution

Edit the /etc/mail/sendmail.cf file and add any missing options to the O PrivacyOptions directive.

Example

O PrivacyOptions=authwarnings noexpn novrfy

NOTE: sendmail.cf supports the use of both the comma and space characters to separate the options.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/19066

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6b.

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 58dd529a6ee5898c100e913760a906b9997ac51bbb8faa35f98e9275ff1c5e7e